The Adult Basic Education program is designed for adults and out-of-school youth ages 16 years or older who are currently functioning below the eighth grade level or equivalent; are not enrolled in secondary school; do not have a secondary school diploma or its equivalent; and are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance under State law.

The Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education has established priorities, selection criteria, and program requirements under the Community Technology Centers (CTC) program. These priorities, selection criteria, and program requirements will be used for competitions in FY 2003. The Department takes this action to target Federal resources on improving the academic achievement of low-achieving students enrolled in, or entering, grades 9 through 12 at low-performing secondary schools.

The Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education establishes a final priority, selection criteria, and program requirements under the Community Technology Centers (CTC) program for novice applicants. The Assistant Secretary will use this priority, selection criteria, and program requirements for the FY 2003 novice applicant competition.